Fairview man dies after 2 tractor-trailer trucks crash near Myton

By Geoff Liesik , Deseret News

Published: Sunday, Jan. 12 2014 7:31 p.m. MST

Cody Smith, 54, of Fairview, Sanpete County, suffered fatal injuries Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, after his truck collided with the rear axle of a trailer being hauled by an oncoming tractor-trailer truck on U.S. 40 near Myton, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. The other truck's trailer may have been blown into the oncoming lane by high winds, trooper said. (Utah Highway Patrol)

MYTON, Duchesne County — A crash between two tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. 40 east of Myton left one person dead Sunday and shut down the road for more than four hours.

Cody Smith, of Fairview, Sanpete County, was driving on westbound U.S. 40 about 4:30 a.m. when he struck the rear axle of an empty trailer being pulled by an oncoming semitruck, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. The empty trailer had drifted into Smith's lane, troopers said.

"It was more of a side-swipe crash," UHP Lt. Jeff Chugg said.

The crash was so loud a crew working on an oil drilling rig near the highway heard it and called dispatchers to report it, Chugg said.

Smith, 54, was taken to Uintah Basin Medical Center in critical condition. He was later flown to University Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Cody Smith, 54, of Fairview, Sanpete County, suffered fatal injuries Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, after his truck collided with the rear axle of a trailer being hauled by an oncoming tractor-trailer truck on U.S. 40 near Myton, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. The other truck's trailer may have been blown into the oncoming lane by high winds, trooper said. (Utah Highway Patrol)

The driver of the other truck was uninjured, Chugg said. Troopers did not release the man's name.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Troopers suspect weather may have been a factor because the road was slick and the area was being buffeted by gusting winds.